Synopses & Reviews
In this companion to his celebrated earlier book,
GettysburgThe Second Day, Harry Pfanz provides the first definitive account of the fighting between the Army of the Potomac and Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia at Cemetery Hill and Culp's Hilltwo of the most critical engagements fought at Gettysburg on 2 and 3 July 1863.
Pfanz provides detailed tactical accounts of each stage of the contest and explores the interactions betweenand decisions made bygenerals on both sides. In particular, he illuminates Confederate lieutenant general Richard S. Ewell's controversial decision not to attack Cemetery Hill after the initial southern victory on 1 July. Pfanz also explores other salient features of the fighting, including the Confederate occupation of the town of Gettysburg, the skirmishing in the south end of town and in front of the hills, the use of breastworks on Culp's Hill, and the small but decisive fight between Union cavalry and the Stonewall Brigade.
Review
Civil War enthusiasts should clear a space on their bookshelf for
GettysburgCulp's Hill and Cemetery Hill.
Blue and Gray
Review
A definitive reconstruction of the fighting in a sector which has been neglected by historians. . . . A book that Civil War buffs and scholars will greet with enthusiasm. (Publishers Weekly)
Review
A meticulous examination of the desperate engagements that over the course of the three days swept up and down the rough slopes of these two hills, the strategic anchors of the Union right flank. (New York Times Book Review)
Review
Authoritative, exhaustive, and interesting.
Journal of American History
Review
A book that Civil War buffs and scholars will greet with enthusiasm.
Publishers Weekly
Review
A meticulous examination.
New York Times Book Review
Review
Rich with astute judgments . . . clearly written, and graced with excellent maps, Pfanz's book is tactical history at its finest.
Civil War
About the Author
Harry W. Pfanz is author of GettysburgThe First Day and GettysburgThe Second Day. A lieutenant, field artillery, during World War II, he served for ten years as a historian at Gettysburg National Military Park and retired from the position of Chief Historian of the National Park Service in 1981.
Table of Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
1. Two Generals and Their Armies
2. The Only Position
3. Ewell and Howard Collide
4. Retreat to Cemetery Hill
5. The Rebels Take the Town
6. Ewell Hesitates
7. Slocum and Hancock Reach the Field
8. Getting Ready for the Fight
9. Skirmishers, Sharpshooters, and Civilians
10. Brinkerhoff's Ridge
11. The Artillery, 2 July
12. Blunder on the Right
13. Johnson Attacks!
14. Early Attacks Cemetery Hill
15. Cemetery Hill--The Repulse
16. Culp's Hill--Johnson's Assault, 3 July
17. The Last Attacks
18. Counterattacks near Spangler's Spring
19. 3 July, Mostly Afternoon
20. Epilogue
Appendix A. Spangler's Spring
Appendix B. Two Controversies
Appendix C. Order of Battle: Army of the Potomac and Army of Northern Virginia, 1-3 July 1863
Notes
Bibliography
Index